NFL WEEK 8: Our official predictions for who wins this weekend

It is hard to believe, but we're almost halfway through the NFL season, and we are starting to figure out the landscape of the league.

The Eagles look like a potential powerhouse, the Patriots still know how to beat the Falcons, and the Browns are still the Browns. But even with a few quantities now known to football fans, there's still much of the league that remains a mystery.

Thankfully, even with questions still lingering, our picks against the spread have continued their steady streak of profitability, going a tidy 8-5-2 last week. This week, there's a few home underdogs to back and too many mystery lines to count, but every game must be picked no matter how intimidating the line may be.

Miami Dolphins (+3) at Baltimore Ravens (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET)

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The pick: Dolphins +3

The logic: After two straight Thursday night thrillers, this game does not offer the type of can't-miss football action fans were hoping for. As always, it's likely a stay-away game, but since it's my duty to pick every game of the slate, I'll back the Dolphins and the points and put my faith in Miami rallying around Matt Moore.

This week the Browns make their first ever trip to London, and while those games have been something of a dumpster fire so far this season, I can think of nothing more hilarious than the Browns starting their semester abroad with a win.

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Oakland Raiders (+2.5) at Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The pick: Raiders +2.5

The logic: As much as I hate betting on a west coast team traveling east for an early game, the Raiders come into this one with a few extra days of rest and on the heels of their biggest win of the season — a heart-stopping thriller against the division leading Chiefs. With the Broncos currently in a tailspin, a win in this spot would be huge for the Raiders' postseason aspirations. When Oakland was firing on all cylinders last year they looked like an unstoppable force, and last week has me convinced they're back.

The logic: I might be as addicted to betting against the Patriots as I am to betting on the Browns. Both are historically losing propositions that I should seek professional help in addressing, but looking at the numbers it's just impossible to stop. The Patriots still have defensive questions and just lost Dont'a Hightower for the year, while the Chargers have won three straight. If I'm resigned to eternally lose money at the hands of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, so be it.

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Chicago Bears (+9) at New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Jeffrey Phelps/AP

The pick: Saints -9

The logic: The Bears have won two straight games on the strength of their defense, and last week Mitch Trubisky completed just four passes in a win over the Carolina Panthers. It's a system that cannot hold.

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Atlanta Falcons (-5) at New York Jets (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The pick: Jets +5

The logic: A home underdog going against a Falcons team that appears to be falling apart at the seams. It's possible that I'm falling victim to recency bias and Atlanta will return to their winning ways, but if the same Falcons team that showed up in New England arrives in New York, the Jets could win this one outright.

The logic: As a Philadelphia fan, I have entered into a seemingly bottomless swirl of doubt now that the Eagles have sole ownership of the best record in football. The loss of Jason Peters is huge, as he is not only the anchor of their offensive line but also one of the emotional leaders of the team. This bet is what some would call an "emotional hedge," because in case the worst happens and the Eagles fall apart, at least my bet hits. I really hope I lose this pick.

The logic: The Panthers are better than their loss to the Bears last week showed, but this is another game I would avoid if I had the choice.

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Houston Texans (+5.5) at Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Tim Warner/Getty Images

The pick: Seahawks -5.5

The logic: Seattle feels due for a big win and while Deshaun Watson is one of the most exciting players in the league to watch, any rookie heading into CenturyLink Field is going to have a tough go at it.

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Dallas Cowboys (-2) at Washington Redskins (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The pick: Redskins +2

The logic: The Redskins are short home dogs coming off an embarrassing loss in primetime facing Cowboys team that just dropped 40 points on the Niners and might be feeling themselves a bit too much in the fall out. I usually have to close my eyes and take the points when there's a home dog in a division game, but this is one game I think I'll be able to watch.

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Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET)

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

The pick: Lions +3

The logic: The Lions are coming off an extra week of rest and playing at home as underdogs against an out-of-conference opponent that has essentially already sealed up their division. Count me in.

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Denver Broncos (+7) at Kansas City Chiefs (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The pick: Chiefs -7

The logic: The Chiefs are looking to right the ship at home in primetime against a division opponent after two tough losses. Just feels like a good spot.

LAST WEEK: 8-5-2 OVERALL: 58-45-3

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Now check out our power rankings heading into another week of NFL action